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‘Unfair’ increase of 1.32% for GPs

‘Unfair’ increase of 1.32% for GPs
20 March 2013



GPs have been given a pay increase of just 1.32%, as the government ignored recommendations from the pay review board.
 
The Review Body on Dentists’ and Doctors’ Remuneration (DDRB) suggested GPs be given a 2.29% uplift to cover expenses and staff pay, which would allow GPs to have a 1% increase in line with other doctors.
 
The independent body recognised that GPs have given their nurses and staff 3.4% pay increases over the last year, while taking a pay cut themselves.
 
Pay cut

GPs have been given a pay increase of just 1.32%, as the government ignored recommendations from the pay review board.
 
The Review Body on Dentists’ and Doctors’ Remuneration (DDRB) suggested GPs be given a 2.29% uplift to cover expenses and staff pay, which would allow GPs to have a 1% increase in line with other doctors.
 
The independent body recognised that GPs have given their nurses and staff 3.4% pay increases over the last year, while taking a pay cut themselves.
 
Pay cut
 
Dr Peter Swinyard, Family Doctor Association chair said it is a “credit” to GPs that they continue to pay their staff properly.
 
“Yet again, the government has rebuffed independent expert advice and imposed its own dogma and a de facto pay cut for GPs, at the same time as asking them to control the majority of the secondary care NHS budget through their CCGs,” he said.
 
“Bitterly disappointed” Dr Laurence Buckman chair of the British Medical Association’s (BMA) GP Committee agreed the decision is especially unfair because of the imposition of the Health and Social Care Act and “unwelcome contract changes”.
 
“The government is essentially telling GPs that their staff should earn less than what the DDRB has indicated, or that GPs should take another real terms pay cut,” said Dr Buckman.
 
He added: “GPs may feel less motivated to work with the government in the future at a time when they are needed most.”
 
‘Unfair’
 
But a government spokesman said it would be “unfair” to give one group of NHS staff a larger pay increase than other public sector workers.
 
The Department of Health spokesperson said: “GP practices are independent businesses and free to set staff pay levels as they see fit.
 
“We are committed to making sure pay increases are fair and consistent across the NHS and will announce how the 1.3% contract uplift will be allocated shortly.”
 
Dean Royles, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: 'The government's decision to uplift the GP contract by 1.32% clearly seeks to ensure that increases in the take-home pay of practice staff are consistent with increases that other staff within the NHS will receive.'

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